Going through the wrongful death of a loved one is very difficult to cope with. Facing an unexpected passing can create a life-changing experience for those closest to the victim. If you have endured the loss of a loved one, please accept our deepest condolences.
During this tough time in your life, you may be wondering if there is any way to get closure. You may be eligible to file a lawsuit against the individual at-fault for the loss of your loved one. The victim’s heir(s) are granted the right to seek compensation for economic and non-economic damages that were caused by the wrongful death.
At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our Glendale wrongful death attorneys have over 60 years of collective legal experience in handling wrongful death cases. Our team has won more than 5,000 cases and has acquired over $1 billion in settlements for our clients. Due to our achievements, we have been acknowledged as one of the top personal injury law firms in Glendale.
Contact our 24/7 legal team by calling (818) 839-8800 or emailing info@westcoasttriallawyers.com to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation at our Glendale personal injury law firm today.
A wrongful death claim can be filed by a representative of the victim who passed away from a wrongful death. Under California Penal Code 377.60, there are selected individuals that are allowed to file a wrongful death claim. This includes:
Anyone who took part in causing a wrongful death can be sued. Examples of potential suspects include:
Representatives of the deceased victim may be granted damages for the losses they suffered if it can be proven that negligence caused the wrongful death. The victim’s heir(s) may receive economic and non-economic damages relating to the death of their loved one.
Available economic damages include:
Available non-economic damages include:
You are given two years to file a lawsuit from the initial date of the death or when you first found out about it. If you exceed this time period, you will lose the right to file a claim. However, there are a few exceptions that may apply. The plaintiff must be:
You should hire an experienced personal injury attorney to help you get started on your claim. They will guide you through the process of strengthening your claim, along with making negotiations with insurance companies to get you the compensation you deserve for your losses.
Once a wrongful death lawsuit is filed, the plaintiff must show evidence of the at-fault party’s negligence contributing to the death of their loved one. This includes the following:
The plaintiff is expected to show convincing evidence to the judge and jury. If they succeed in doing so, then the allegations made against the defendant will be considered truthful. This will give the plaintiff a better chance of winning the case. However, if the plaintiff does not provide enough convincing evidence, the defendant may win.
The role of the burden of proof primarily depends on whether the case is classified as civil or criminal. For civil cases, the standards are set lower for a plaintiff. On the other hand, with criminal cases, you must provide a substantial amount of proof against the defendant.
When it comes to defendants, they are not required to prove anything to the judge or jury. If the plaintiff is not successful in making a convincing statement on why the defendant is guilty, then the defendant will win the case without having to present their evidence. However, the defendant can resort to an affirmative defense. This will cause a reverse effect between the plaintiff and the defendant.
If your loved one was a victim of wrongful death and you are interested in pursuing legal actions against the party at-fault, West Coast Trial Lawyers has experienced Glendale wrongful death attorneys that are readily available to provide you with legal assistance.
To schedule a free consultation at our Glendale personal injury law firm, contact our 24/7 legal team by calling (818) 839-8800 or emailing info@westcoasttriallawyers.com.
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